Bill > AR78

Introduced Session

This resolution respectfully urges Congress to extend the time limitation for upgrading certain military honors. A Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, or Distinguished Service Medal must be awarded within five years of a service member's actions justifying the award. However, after an initial recommendation and award, the Department of Defense may determine that a previously awarded action may deserve an upgrade to a higher honor. The five-year limitation and the inability of the President to waive the limitation under certain circumstances, absent congressional authorization, makes it difficult to upgrade a service member's award after the five-year limitation. Over the past few years, there has been a bipartisan effort in Congress to have the late Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe's Silver Star upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Sergeant First Class Cashe, along with others, is an example of a valiant solider whose acts were later determined to merit a higher honor; however, the honored action is more than five years old. On October 17, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sergeant First Class Cashe, with no regard for his own safety or wellbeing, repeatedly entered a burning Bradley Fighting Vehicle to evacuate his fellow soldiers after it struck an improvised explosive device. Sergeant First Class Cashe's actions saved the lives of six of his soldiers. While evacuating his fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Cashe suffered second and third-degree burns over 72 percent of his body. On November 8, 2005, Sergeant First Class Cashe died from his wounds and was later posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his heroism, the third-highest military combat honor. Recently, the Secretary of Defense, Mark T. Esper, in a letter to congressional lawmakers, asserted, "after giving the nomination careful consideration, I agree SFC Cashe's actions merit award of the Medal of Honor." However, before the President and the Department of Defense can take action to upgrade the military honor, Congress must waive or extend the five-year time limit. Given the leadership, devotion to duty, and sheer bravery of Sergeant First Class Cashe and other soldiers impacted by the time limit, this House should respectfully urge Congress to extend the five-year time limit on upgrading certain military honors.

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Brian Bergen (R)*,  Antwan McClellan (R),  Erik Simonsen (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document